Raynor

A History of Washington Valley New Jersey

Washington Valley plotted from earliest available deeds

In 1949 a committee came together to prepare a history of Washington Valley New Jersey. From its origins as a settlement in 1749 through the pivotal moments of the Revolutionary War and into the nineteenth century, they delve into the lives of the early families who once called this valley home. Despite the challenges of piecing together a fragmented historical record, their endeavor aims to illuminate the valley’s heritage, drawing on a diverse array of sources, from land deeds and wills to personal anecdotes and genealogical research. This book is free to read or to download as a PDF.

A History of Sayville, New York

Map of Sayville, New York, in 1858

In the heart of Suffolk County, New York, lies a village with a history as rich as the soil upon which it stands. “A History of Sayville, New York,” penned by Clarissa Edwards in 1935, is an invaluable chronicle that sheds light on the early days of this often-overlooked locale. Published by the Suffolk County News Press, this work is a testament to the enduring spirit of Sayville, a village that has woven itself into the fabric of American history, yet remains scarcely mentioned in conventional historical texts.

Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, PA

Title Page for Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County Pennsylvania

An introductory page for the Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania, this volume includes a historical sketch of the county by Samuel T. Wiley and more than 500 biographical sketches of prominent local men and leading citizens. It also outlines Chester County’s colonial origins, early boundaries, and its role in the formation of neighboring counties.

1899 Directory for Middleboro and Lakeville Massachusetts

1899 Middleboro and Lakeville Massachusetts Directory Cover

The 1899 Directory for Middleboro and Lakeville, Massachusetts, compiled by A. E. Foss & Co., provides a comprehensive list of residents and businesses, alongside town officers, schools, churches, and societies. It includes notable historical events and offers a detailed account of the local community, featuring numerous surnames from both towns. This directory serves as an essential resource for understanding the demographics and social structure of Middleboro and Lakeville during that period.

Abstracts of Wills on File in the City of New York Surrogate’s Office 1660-1680

Sample Last Will and Testament

Abstracts of wills on file in the surrogate’s office city of New York 1660-1680. From May 1787 to the present, county surrogate’s courts have recorded probates. However, the court of probates and court of chancery handled estates of deceased persons who died in one county but who owned property in another. An 1823 law mandated that all probates come under the jurisdiction of the county surrogate’s courts. Each surrogate’s court has a comprehensive index to all probate records, including the unrecorded probate packets. Interestingly enough, there are wills existing and on record at the Surrogate’s Office in New York City for the time-span of 1660-1680. Genealogical extracts of these wills have been provided below.

Will of Thurston Raynor – 1667

In his last will dated July 6, 1667, Thurston Raynor of Southampton bequeaths 28 acres of land to his son Joseph, while his son Jonathan receives half of his housing and lands upon reaching twenty-one. His wife, Martha, is granted lifetime use of the other half, which will then pass to Jonathan. Raynor leaves £10 each to five unnamed children and appoints Martha as executrix, with friends Samuel Clarke and John Howell as overseers. The will was proved on November 4, 1667.

Raynor, Alfred D. – Obituary

Alfred D. Raynor, aged 54, passed away on July 5, 1995, at his home in Homestead. Born on May 14, 1941, in Wilmore, Kansas, he grew up in Nampa, Idaho, and served in the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1963. He married Sharon Kathleen Wiggins in 1962 and worked as an inspector for the Union Pacific Railroad. He is survived by his wife, three children, and four grandchildren. A family memorial service is scheduled for July 28 in Nampa, Idaho.